Dr. Saturday

Washington star TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins charged with DUI, status with the Huskies up in the air

Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, whom many believed to be the nation’s best tight end heading into the 2013 season, has been charged with a DUI by the Seattle City’s Attorney office.

On March 9, Seferian-Jenkins was found in his car, which had been driven into a ditch. No other vehicles were involved. Seferian-Jenkins refused an initial blood test, but finally had to provide one after a court order.

At the time, no charges had been filed while the case was investigated.

The maximum sentence for this charge is 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Coach Steve Sarkisian said Seferian-Jenkins would be suspended from team activities until the investigation was complete, but maintained that the team supported one of its top players.

However, now that Seferian-Jenkins has officially been charged, his fate might be out of Sarkisian’s hands.

Here’s part of Washington’s official student-athlete code of conduct”

“When a student-athlete has been arrested or charged with a violation of criminal law, the student-athlete will be placed on administrative suspension from all team activities pending further investigation. If the alleged criminal activity would constitute a misdemeanor offense, the head coach may lift the administrative suspension after obtaining the approval of the sport administrator. If the alleged criminal activity would constitute a felony, the administrative suspension may be lifted only upon authorization of the Director of Athletics.’’

The school did announce that Seferian-Jenkins would continue to be suspended, but that he was already taking the necessary steps to get back on the team.

Seferian-Jenkins will appear in Seattle Municipal Court at a date yet to be determined.

Seferian-Jenkins caught 69 passes for 850 yards last season, both records for Washington tight ends. Juniors Michael Hartvigson and Evan Hudson have been working as starters this spring in Seferian-Jenkins’ stead.

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